How to network for a job

If you are trying to get your dream job, then you are going to have to talk to people and let them know that you are looking for a job. There are some things that you should do whenever you are job networking:

•  Make yourself some networking cards on your computer with MS Word. These are like business cards in both size and shape. However, these are more like a mini resume. On each card you should include your name, phone number and e-mail address. You should also include what your desired job title is and use a catchy tag line. On the back of these cards you should include 2 or 3 descriptive sentences or a bulleted list of your experience and accomplishments. You could even put a couple of testimonials from former employers on the back of these cards.

•  Once you have your networking cards, you should go talk to friends, family members, acquaintances and anyone else that you can think of. Tell them that you are looking for a specific type of job and some of your previous experience that qualifies you for such a position. Then hand them 3 of your cards. Ask them to please pass them on to people they know in business who may be looking to fill the type of position that you are looking for.

•  Take the time to make phone calls. You should spend at least 1 hour per month calling or emailing people that you have identified as people in your network. This will keep your face in front of people who may otherwise forget about you.

•  Join a professional organization or association that will allow you to network and make affiliations that will be a nice addition to your resume. Alumni groups are also great for this. You can also join public business associations so that you can meet local business people.

•  Spend some time calling old friends, professors and extended family members to let them know that you are currently looking for a job.

•  Join an online networking group.

•  Create a public profile on web sites that have been specifically designed for networking.

•  Use job interviews for future networking opportunities. You can do this by sending a hand-written thank you note within 24 hours of your interview. Even if you do not get the job, you still may have a potential networking opportunity available.

•  Make sure that you exchange business cards whenever you can so that you can keep track of everyone with whom you are networking.